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Iodine stains should be removed quickly, as they often leave brownish-reddish marks. With the right products, you can combat these stains.
How to deal with iodine stains
Iodine is used for wound care and is very effective in this regard. However, it often leaves unsightly stains on clothing or other fabrics. You need to act quickly when dealing with iodine stains. It is best to remove the stain immediately. Dried iodine stains are usually impossible to remove.
- As soon as you notice the stain, you should keep it moist. The best way to do this is to sprinkle a little water on the stain. Use hot water if possible.
- Note: It is absolutely essential that you only moisten the stain itself. If you hold the entire garment under water, the iodine stain may even spread, which must be prevented at all costs. Therefore, only moisten the affected area.
Removing iodine stains quickly – these are the methods
The best way to treat iodine stains is with potatoes or ammonia solution or sal ammoniac. For stubborn stains, you should try both methods. Here’s how to do it:
- Take a potato, cut it in half and press it gently onto the iodine stain. Work in a circular motion from the outside in. Alternatively, you can use cornstarch.
- Now it is important to wash out the stain. Hold it under warm running water.
- If the stain has not been removed, apply ammonia solution or sal ammoniac to a cotton swab. Again, dab the stain in a circular motion from the outside in. Important: You should dilute the solution beforehand and use it according to the instructions.
- Even after this step, you must rinse the iodine stain and the garment under warm running water.
- In the final step, you should wash the garment in the washing machine. Pay attention to the label on your garment and select the appropriate program on your washing machine.
- Tip: You can also use potatoes to remove fresh iodine stains from your skin. However, you should be careful when using ammonia solution or sal ammoniac, as it is corrosive.
Iodine on white clothing: When the stain won’t come out
If you have left an iodine stain on white clothing, you can also bleach it out in the sun. However, this only works on white clothing.
- First, treat the stain as usual. On white clothing, a dark stain will most likely remain. This is because iodine is very stubborn and dark.
- You can therefore lay the white clothing in the sun, for example. With a little luck, this will bleach the stain and you will have a white garment again.
